Republicans were leading the major races in Elkhart County during Tuesday’s general election, including contests for county clerk, county commissioner and county council.

With 23 of 29 precincts reporting in the available election returns, Republican candidates held leads in all three races. Voters were also deciding several school board contests and a property tax referendum affecting Wa-Nee Community Schools.

Pickens Leads County Clerk’s Race

Republican Patty Pickens was leading Democrat Megan Graham in the race for Elkhart County clerk.

Pickens had received 22,593 votes, or 58%, compared to Graham’s 16,179 votes, or 42%.

The county clerk’s office oversees court records, elections and other administrative responsibilities.

Barnes Ahead in County Commissioner Contest

Republican Bob Barnes held the lead in the District 1 County Commissioner race.

Barnes had received 21,970 votes, or 56%, compared to 15,099 votes, or 39%, for Democrat Ralph Spelbring.

Independent candidate Amy Green was third with 1,897 votes, or 5%.

County commissioners oversee several aspects of county government, including infrastructure, county facilities and administrative operations.

Riegsecker Leads County Council District 3

Republican Darryl Riegsecker was leading Democrat Kevin Peters in the District 3 County Council race.

Riegsecker had received 5,040 votes, or 58%, compared to Peters’ 3,647 votes, or 42%.

The County Council is responsible for overseeing county finances, including budget appropriations and certain tax-related decisions.

Goshen School Board Races Among Closest Contests

Several Goshen Community Schools board races were extremely close in the partial returns.

In District 1, Sallie Davis had received 704 votes, just one more than Brian Krider, who had 703.

The District 3 race was similarly close, with Ryan Glick receiving 693 votes compared to Cynthia Murphy’s 692.

In the at-large contest, Rick Yoder led with 2,567 votes, or 36%. Loanne Harms followed with 2,298 votes, or 32%, while Sandra Rodriguez-McMasters had 2,262 votes, also approximately 32%.

The narrow margins in the district races made the remaining precincts especially important in determining the outcome.

Wa-Nee School Safety Referendum Drawing Support

Voters in the Wa-Nee Community School Corporation were supporting a proposed property tax increase for school safety and security.

The referendum would authorize an additional property tax of up to 10 cents per $100 of assessed value for as long as eight years, generating up to $1.75 million annually for safety-related expenses.
Hoosier First

With 23 of 29 precincts reporting in the supplied returns, 2,072 voters, or 61%, had voted in favor. Another 1,342 voters, or 39%, opposed the measure.

The proposal had not yet been declared approved in those returns.

Bristol and Syracuse Town Council Races

In Bristol, four candidates were competing for two at-large Town Council seats.

Democrat Mikel Ropp led with 211 votes, or 31%, followed closely by Republican Anthony Stech with 209 votes, or 30%.

Republican Ron Norman had received 163 votes, or 24%, while independent Ernie Davis had 106 votes, or 15%.

In Syracuse, Republicans Gregory Abbs and Matthew Goodnight were leading the three-candidate contest for two at-large Town Council seats.

Abbs had 365 votes, or 39%, followed by Goodnight with 354 votes, or 38%. Democrat Yesenia Vetor trailed with 208 votes, or 22%.

The Syracuse contest had 27 of 29 precincts reporting.

Congressional and State Legislative Races

Elkhart County voters also participated in several closely watched congressional and Indiana General Assembly races.

In Indiana’s Second Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rudy Yakym defeated Democrat Jamee Decio.

In Indiana Senate District 11, Democrat Gabrianna Gratzol held a narrow lead over Republican Brian Schmutzler, 51% to 49%, with 83 of 93 precincts reporting.

Republican Timothy Wesco was declared the winner in Indiana House District 21, defeating Democrat Charles Burkley with 59% of the vote.

Republican Doug Miller won House District 48 with 55%, defeating Democrat Emily Yaw and Libertarian Marshall Travis.

In House District 49, Republican Joanna King led Democrat Michelle Milne, 61% to 39%, with 25 of 35 precincts reporting.